Middle School Courses
MS Courses
Grade 6
Description. In sixth-grade computer science, students are introduced to the Scratch computer programming language. They learn about sequencing and problem solving by creating games and animations. Students also learn about digital safety and responsible behavior online.- Duration: Quarter everyday (45 days)
- Required/Elective: Required for sixth-grade students
Grade 7
- Description. Seventh-grade computer science extends previous learning in Scratch by making more sophisticated animations and by programming mBot robots. The course also introduces text-based programming by creating interactive stories in Twine. Lessons focus on the big idea of variables.
- Duration: One semester every other day, or one quarter everyday (45 days)
- Required/Elective: This class is elective. All interested students are welcome, whether or not they have completed previous computer science classes or have other computer science experience. Students can register for this class at the end of sixth grade.
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mBot Robots
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Twine
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Grade 8
- Description. In eighth-grade, computer science students use mBot robots to learn about advanced programming concepts including functions (modular, reusable sections of code) and algorithms (predictable steps that solve problems). In addition, students create their own websites by writing 3 professional text-based languages – HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript.
- Duration: One semester every other day, or one quarter everyday (45 days)
- Required/Elective: This class is elective. All interested students are welcome, whether or not they have completed previous computer science classes or have other computer science experience. Students can register for this class at the end of seventh grade.
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mBot Robots
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HTML
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Additional Information
- Topics, grading, schedules, and homework.
Additional information about each class is available in its Google Classroom. Links to Google Classroom are distributed to enrolled students and parents when classes begin. - Technology and Engineering.
The middle school also offers Technology and Engineering, a class that prepares students for the Science and Technology MCAS test. For more information, see https://sites.google.com/a/arlington.k12.ma.us/ottoson_middle_school/departments/technology-and-engineering.